A well-known face awaits Alex Eala as she chases her first-ever WTA crown.
The Filipina tennis star will sq. off in opposition to Hungary’s Panna Udvardy within the Guadalajara 125 Open remaining early Sunday in Mexico, with historical past on the road for each gamers.
The 26-year-old Udvardy, who’s at the moment ranked 134th on the planet, has been within the skilled scene since 2016 and made her WTA foremost draw debut in 2017.
However Udvardy is not precisely a brand new foe to Eala.
Again in April this 12 months, the 2 had an encounter during the Oeiras Ladies Open in Portugal the place Udvardy eked out a 7(4)-6, 6-4 win in opposition to the FIlipina ace within the Spherical of 16.
Udvardy, although, wasn’t in a position to go the space after absorbing a 6-7, 1-6 loss to Dalma Galfi of Italy within the quarterfinals.
They now reunite on the laborious court docket with each gamers chasing their respective breakthrough WTA singles title.
Udvardy’s previous outcomes
Since 2017, she has captured one title and reached three runner-up finishes — all coming in doubles tournaments. She additionally had a career-high WTA rating at no. 76 again in September 2022.
Udvardy, like Eala, joined varied Grand Slam occasions this 12 months, apart from the US Open.
Within the Australian Open earlier this 12 months, Udvardy misplaced to dwelling guess Destanee Aiava of Australia within the second spherical of the qualifying stage to bow out of the competition.
Udvardy then got here again for the French Open, also called Roland Garros, however likewise suffered an early exit after bowing to Ella Seidel additionally within the second spherical of the qualifiers.
Udvardy managed to eke out two wins in Wimbledon’s qualifying stage however finally didn’t enter the primary draw once more following a 2-6, 6-1, 3-6 loss to Petra Martic within the third spherical.
—JMB, GMA Built-in Information
